Queensland’s electric vehicle revolution charging ahead

Hyundai’s first fully electric vehicle had its first test run on Australian roads today – with Queensland, the nation leader in EV policy, chosen to host the Australian launch.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey and Member for Bulimba Di Farmer attended the national launch of the IONIQ Electric model at Brisbane-based Tritium, a global leader in electric charging technology.

Mr Bailey said it was no surprise Hyundai decided to hold the national launch here as Queensland is fast becoming known as the Australian hot spot for electric vehicles (EV).

“Queensland is home to the Electric Super Highway – the world’s longest in a single state and an infrastructure investment that is determining car maker policy for the entire country.”

Mr Bailey said the Premier recently visited Hyundai’s headquarters in South Korea to see electric and hydrogen-powered vehicle technology and was able to drive the NEXO, Hyundai’s Motor’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle.

“These technologies complement the Palaszczuk Government’s electric vehicle strategy, which identifies 16 initiatives to help shift Queensland to an environmentally friendly EV fleet,” he said.

The government will also be launching a Queensland Hydrogen Strategy next year.

Mr Bailey said Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Superhighway was powered by super-fast charging stations supplied by Tritium.

“The fact that drivers can travel approximately 1,800km, from Coolangatta to Cairns, using the latest EV charging technology gave Hyundai the impetus it needed to invest into bringing its IONIQ electric vehicle to Australia, and choosing Queensland as its launchpad into the Australian market,” Mr Bailey said.

“Tritium is changing the face of the global EV industry and is a great home-grown Queensland success story.”

Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said funding under the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiatives helped Tritium establish their headquarters and main manufacturing plant here at Murarrie.

“Tritium which employs more than 250 staff and exports to 26 countries is now powering electric vehicles around the globe,” she said.

“Tritium was also recently named the Premier of Queensland’s Exporter of the Year and we are hoping the company will also be successful in the National Export Awards 2018, being held in Canberra tonight.”

Minister Bailey said the electric vehicle industry was the perfect example of why Queensland has to prepare for the jobs of the future.

“A few years ago, this technology and these jobs didn’t exist and now it’s a global industry,” he said.

“We need to skill Queenslanders for the future, not just in this industry, but for all workplaces.

“That’s why the Premier convened tomorrow’s Skills and Industry Summit, where industry, small business, higher education, training providers, unions and government will discuss and help the Palaszczuk Government map out Queensland’s pathway to meet the labour force needs of the future.”